Major Group: Crustacea
Minor Group: Branchiura
Family: Argulidae
This minor group is representated in Asutralian freshwaters by a single family, Argulidae. |
Descriptive Features: dorsoventrally flattened, body oval shaped
strong abdominal reduction
few thoracic appendages
anterior structures strongly modified
1st and 2nd antennae relatively small
mouthparts reduced or markedly modified, 1st maxillae form a pair of attachment structures
Total length: up to 10 mm |
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Argulus sp., dorsal view |
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Argulus sp., ventral view |
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Taxonomic Checklist: Species
Argulus foliaceus Linnaeus
Argulus japonicus Thiele
Argulus macropterus Heegaard
Dolops tasmanianus Fryer |
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Distribution:
Dolops tasmanianus occurs in Tas.
Argulus macropterus is endemic to WA.
Argulus foliaceous and Argulus japonicus are thought to be introduced species now widespread in NSW and Vic.
Sensitivity Rating: SIGNAL grade 1
Functional Feeding Group: parasites |
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Derwent River, Tas |
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Ecology: Instream habitat: Argulus macropterus is most likely estuarine.
Feeding ecology: Fish lice are intermittently ectoparasitic upon fish (galaxiids in Tasmania) and occasionally amphibians. They attach near the gill regions of fish but retain the ability to detach and swim freely for long periods of time.
Habit:
Life history: Females deposit strings of eggs on the substratum. Larvae hatch with a complete set of adult appendages |
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Information Sources: Ingram et al 1997, Williams 1980
Key to Species: none, separate by distrubution |
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